IHS Markit smartphone research is different. We deliver comprehensive smartphone data, down to specific models and component categories, providing you with the detailed insight and data you need on the rapidly evolving global smartphone industry.

In-depth analysis and historic data and market forecasts for the smartphone market globally and by country. Smartphone Intelligence Service - Premium delivers detailed data on smartphone shipments by OEM as well the active installed base of smartphones by feature, down to model level. The reports in this service provide actionable recommendations based on these unique data sets.

Also included are insights and analysis on topics such as augmented/mixed reality (AR/VR/MR), 5G, gigabit LTE, machine learning and AI in smartphones, and voice assistants.

HMD Global launched five new mobile phones at MWC 2018, all with striking industrial design. By choosing to only offer handsets with Google's pure Android One or Android Oreo (Go Edition), HMD threatens to disrupt established OEMs with legacy software. The new Nokia 8110 demonstrates featurephones are evolving now with LTE and will not die soon. HMD's flagship Nokia 8 Sirocco has a stunning steel-framed dual curved edge display in a super compact frame which will target Europe.

Samsung is packing its main innovative push into the cameras of its latest flagship Galaxy S devices. With the new super slow motion video capture, Samsung has improved on previous industry attempts to commercialize this feature. The Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus are strong handset designs which evolve from 2017’s excellent S8. They are markedly different in camera quality and display size from the two to three year old smartphones potential customers own now which should boost upgrades. However, consumers may delay purchase because of rising flagship prices.

At MWC Sony Mobile unveiled two new smartphones, Xperia XZ2, XZ Compact and the commercial launch for its Xperia Duo wearable. The importance of Sony’s innovations with these new smartphones will set the tone for the smartphone market for the next few years. IHS Markit expects other smartphone OEMs to deliver similar capabilities in the future including copying Sony’s 4K HDR video capture. But there is much more work needed to re-build Sony’s smartphone business and achievable sustainable profitability.

The objective of the article is to examine patent rulings in the past few years that have made major impacts on the smartphone industry in four different regions: United States, Europe, India and China.
In particular, this article will examine the following two aspects of the patent industry that are relevant to the smartphone market:
I. Rulings made on Standard Essential Patent (SEP) royalty rates
II. Recent changes in patent laws for each region

Sky’s Now TV throws down the gauntlet to online video providers and low cost operator bundles alike, adding broadband internet and telephony services to their Now TV offer. The service which will launch in early July features a new streaming box which, like previous devices, is made by long term partner and part subsidiary; Roku. The slightly larger DMA is now capable of 1080p streaming, comes with a digital tuner for terrestrial broadcast, and adds live pause capabilities.

Mobile World Congress has historically been a place for lots of mobile payments hype but little substance. But the market is maturing. Apple Pay’s 2014 launch kick-started the market, and followed by Samsung and Google in 2015, mobile payments are becoming mainstream. There is no one size fits all solution and MWC 2016 highlighted the diversity of approaches. Operators, device makers and over the top players are introducing a range of different services.

Terrestrial television provision is a vital component in today’s technology industry, contributing revenues of $5.5 billion, which is expected to increase by a further $1.8 billion by 2020. On top of this with the ITU setting a 'soft' analogue switch off (ASO) and digital switch over (DSO) date of the 17th of June 2015 for its Regions, service providers all over the world have been decommissioning old analogue technologies and investing in installing digital equipment, in the anticipation that they will be able to offer a greater quality of service to their existing customer base over at least the next decade. However, it was predicted long before 2015, that many countries will not be able to set their digital transmissions up in the next several years, hence, they could not meet the ITU’s deadline.

Private national French television network TF1 has gained control of major production company Newen by acquiring a 70% majority stake in holding company, FLCP. The deal was finalised on 9 November 2015. TF1 aims to create a European production powerhouse with this partnership, enabling it to tap into foreign markets.

Disney's new SVoD service, Disneylife, launched in the UK on 23 November 2015. As previously detailed by IHS, the service includes support for Android, iOS and PC platforms. Up to 10 devices and 6 profiles can be registered with the option of tailoring parental controls for each individual profile.

Disney is to launch a new subscription based streaming service, DisneyLife, in the UK. The service differs from rivals such as Netflix, Amazon Prime and NowTV by supplementing video with digital books and music. However the monthly fee is set at £9.99, higher than Netflix and Amazon at £5.99 and NowTV at £6.99.

The BBC launched BBC Store on 31 November 2015 as a digital counterpart to the BBC Shop. Containing recent content, archived titles and some productions not previously aired, the BBC Store hopes to capture purchases driven by the shift in viewing to digital platforms. There will be integration between iPlayer and BBC Store platforms; purchased content will be listed under the ‘My Programmes’ section of the BBC iPlayer site as well as on the BBC store.

Healthy German TV advertising and digital transformation have fuelled revenue growth for RTL Group in H1 2015, providing an antidote to weak US TV earnings earlier this quarter and supplying evidence for the return-on-investment from strategic repositioning in the context of digital disruption. Yet mixed TV advertising recovery across European markets signals continued exposure to cyclical and structural challenges.

AMC Networks International (AMCNI) has signed an exclusive carriage deal with BT to launch its flagship AMC channel in the UK in September. The channel, known for hit series including Breaking Bad and The Walking Dead, will be available exclusively to BT TV subscribers. Combined with the plan announced last week to bundle in the BT Sport pay TV package, the AMC deal emphasises the telco's new focus on increasing uptake of its IPTV service.